Global Markets Fall Further in March

China was the only market to post double-digit gains in
U.S. dollar terms, according to figures compiled by FTSE,
the index group. The country’s 20.6% return reflected the
opening of the B share market, previously reserved for
foreigners.

Elsewhere, though gains were modest, Finland, Argentina
and Taiwan were the only other markets to post positive
returns on a dollar-denominated basis, according to the
FTSE World Markets Report. Only Finland managed better than
a 1% return, however.

Europe, Asia Slump

Flagging global markets were further affected by ongoing
profit warnings from the corporate sector. Bad news from
Ericsson, Sweden’s technology and mobile telecom group,
sent its component of the index down 21%, this month’s
worst performing market.

In Asia, Singapore’s stock market retreated over 15%,
dragged down by Singapore Telecom’s takeover by Optus,
while elsewhere political instability continued to plague
the Indonesian market, which slid nearly 19%.

Turkey, still suffering the effects of its recent
liquidity crisis and devaluation, was down more than 17% in
March.

In Europe, despite traditionally more defensive plays
such as real estate, gas and water, outperforming their
more cyclical peers, the European Central Bank decided
against cutting interest rates at its last policy
meeting.